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My Big Sister

My big sister was my best friend from the day I was born. Legend has it that when she came to visit me in the hospital and the nurse wheeled me back to the nursery, 2-year-old Heather yelled after the woman, “Hey LADY! You take good care of my baby!” For the first months of my life, she nearly smothered me with love and then she started taking care of me herself.

She played games with me. She helped me learn to imagine.

She was Leia. I was Luke. (I was younger and had shorter hair)

She was the Princess. I was the Prince. (shorter hair excuse again)

She was Sandy. I was Danny. (yep. Shorter hair.)

She was Mary. I was Laura. (This one I liked. Mary was always the boring goody-goody who cried all the time and threatened to go tell Pa. Laura was the risk taker, the one who could kick Nelly’s trash. Laura married a guy named Manly. On the other hand, every bad thing that could possibly happen to a person happened to Mary. She even went so far as to go blind and, as if that weren’t enough, the blind school burned to the ground.)

Okay. End of tangent.

She swung higher than me. I looked to her to teach me.

I was the “brave one” but she was the one who let me sleep with her until I was 12 because I was so scared of the dark.

She was the voice of reason and I was the mischief. She was ladylike and I liked to jump out of trees to see if I could break my arm and get a cast.

She read great books and told me the stories at night because I was too lazy to read them myself. Besides, I still believe she told them better than the original writers. Eat that L.M.!

We went on a game show together, lost (darn you blue team!) and still remained friends.

She did my hair like THIS for the first day of Junior High.

We were, and still are, silly together.

Although we went through periods where we divided our shared bedroom with tape and even occasionally with a cardboard wall, when we got to college we chose to room together. We graduated at the same time because she had taken 2 years off to serve as a missionary.

She spent the summer with me in Quebec and told me I had a great French accent. She translated for me when I needed help. One thing I know – If someone shouts “Vive Quebec!” on St. Jean Baptiste Day, you’d better shout it back!

She dressed like a tween with me and went to see the Backstreet Boys in concert because, “They’re so lame that they’ll break up any minute now. THIS MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE TO SEE THEM IN CONCERT!” She was a High School teacher at the time and me a Librarian.

When I found a new best friend and moved out of our apartment, she celebrated with me, although I know it was hard.

She cried when she held my baby for the first time, so amazed that her baby sister had made a person and so instantly filled with love for Laylee.

We’re learning how to be mothers together. I guess we’ve been learning for a long time. I do hope we’re nicer to our kids than we were to my brother. 🙂

When I describe Heather to people, I always say, “She’s a lot like me, only nicer.” And it’s true. She is the truest friend, the most loyal and compassionate person. She is talented in so many ways. She works hard and she is hard on herself. She is vulnerable. But her very vulnerability and her willingness to share her insecurities makes her more likeable.

And no, she’s not dead. This is not a eulogy. I just like her. (Besides, her eulogy would talk more about how wonderful she is and less about Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Backstreet Boys.)

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That was sweet. When I was growing up, my best friend and I would play Diana and Anne (from “Anne of Green Gables”) and she ALWAYS insisted on being Diana because she was prettier. AND, we formed ourselves a little “Mystery Club” that was totally lame, but SHE got to the president and I had to be the secretary. I guess she thought she could push me around because she’s older.

Those are some of my greatest memories as well. I have always loved that you kids had each other. After a lifetime of wanting a sister, I was so glad that my girls each got to have one of their very own. (Sorry about the brothdr situation, A.)

and…legend my foot. That whole thing actually happened. I can still see Heather in her tiny little red flannel hospital gown yelling into the nursery, “Lady! Hey, Lady. You take good care of my baby sister.” The nurse was completely cracked up.

The 2 of you have been cracking me up and filling my heart ever since. Love you!

I think everyone’s eulogy should mention the Backstreet Boys. And perhaps feature an interprative dance to “I Want it That Way,” but that’s just me.
What a sweet, sweet post. Sibling relationships are screwy and wonderful and close knit and sometimes obnoxious in a way nothing else can ever be.

How sweet. I always wished I had a sister; now that feeling is especially strong.

I have to say, too, it’s amazing how much Heather looks like the pictures of her as a child! I think it’s mostly in the eyes. I don’t see as strong a resemblance with you, but then, I only know you both through pictures & blogging anyway, so maybe it’s there.

Ok. Words don’t describe how much I love this. The pictures, the memories, the tribute. So wonderful. It makes me want to get in the car and hunt my sister down and smother her with hugs. Sisters are a wonderful gift.

I loved the pictures! Heather is one of the greatest isn’t she?! Boy am I glad I met her, by meeting her all the rest of you! And you my dear, I have never met anyone so freakishly intelligent, funny, witty, and talented. I still have that striped sweater you gave me and I still feel cool wearing it. You introduced me to wearing the color orange. Love ya all.

Really neat post, I love the picture of you two snuggled in bed, it reminds me of my kiddos. I’ve been enjoying your blog for a while now and finally got the courage to start my own when I realized my step daughter and I doing the great parking spot dance, might qualify as good blogging. 😉

Add me to the cry-baby list. I could barely read anymore, my eyes where full o’tears. I’m just so glad I was able to wipe and blow my nose, and finish reading This is not a eulogy. AAAAWWWWW, that was awesome, thanks you so much for sharing all those wonderful pictures and the stories. You are both very blessed.